Specialist fire officers are investigating the cause of a blaze at a workshop on Long Road, Lowestoft, yesterday evening that saw homes evacuated and 10 crews on site at the height of the fire.

Crews discovered cylinders and a mix of chemicals inside, and there was an explosion in the workshop while firefighters were there.

The fire had also spread to the gate of an adjoining property. Electrical power to the road was turned off as a precaution.

A debut hat-trick and the return of Ched Evans are among five things you may have missed from the first Saturday of the EFL season.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Mildenhall Fen Tigers, external returned to winning ways yesterday, beating Kent Kings, external 45-44 at West Row in the National League. 

Image source, Jeff Higgott

Captain Dan Halsey (pictured) top scored for the Fen Tigers, with a paid 15-point maximum. 

Jon Armstrong weighed in with 11+1.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Suffolk swimmer Chris Walker-Hebborn failed to make the final of the men's 100m backstroke at the Olympic Games in Rio.

Image source, Getty Images

The 26-year-old, who swims for the University of Bath, finished sixth in his semi-final overnight, in a time of 53.75 seconds.

The final is in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Former Ipswich School pupils George Pinner (pictured left) and Harry Martin both started as Great Britain's men drew 2-2 with New Zealand in Rio.

Image source, Getty Images

David Condon and Barry Middleton got GB's goals as they bounced back from the disappointment of Saturday's 4-1 defeat to Belgium.

Britain's third pool game is tomorrow, against the hosts Brazil.

Back now to that stunning hat-trick by Grant Ward on his Ipswich Town debut - here's how his team-mates reacted.

The son of a Woodbridge man who has disappeared after going walking in the French Alps last Tuesday, has made an impassioned plea on his Facebook page, external for help in finding his father.

On behalf of his family, Danny Armstrong-Wood, writes: "It is with much pain that we have to report the disappearance of our beloved father, husband and best friend, David Wood."

He said his father had set out on a 3.5 mile (6km) walk on a "relatively straightforward and well-known route".

He continued: "The main facts are: that it is one of the hottest times in the day to do this walk. We knew he was getting tired, because our mum/Val was very concerned and had rung him twice. The second time he admitted to tiredness. After these two calls he phone continued to ring, but he did not answer. 

"His absence is completely out of character and he is in a very happy place in his life, in particular during these summers in France."

Image source, Facebook/Danny Armstrong-Wood

Image source, Facebook/Danny Armstrong-Wood

Image source, Facebook/Danny Armstrong-Wood

We mentioned earlier that family and friends of a Woodbridge man, who's gone missing in the French Alps, are concerned for his safety.

Simon Cotter has posted this message on the ITFC supporters' website TWTD, external:

"A dear friend of mine (Woodbridge-based) went missing walking near his holiday home in the Alpine village of Marie last Tuesday and we are all distraught.

"If you are friends with anyone based in that part of the world, or even if you aren't, please share this as far and wide as possible, we are still all in hope that he might be found. Thanks."

Sue Dougan
BBC Local Live

More on the news that a man from Haverhill has pleaded guilty to two counts of causing injury by dangerous driving when a footballer lost both legs after an accident on the A14 in July.

Image source, Newmarket Town FC

Shaun Whiter, an estate agent in Stansted, Essex, was due to begin training with Newmarket Town FC when he was hit by Jan Adamac's car while helping his friend Joey Abbs to change a tyre. 

Adamec, 40, from Shetland Road, Haverhill, did not stop after the accident.

Image source, Newmarket Town FC

Mr Whiter's injuries were so severe, he had to have both legs amputated. Mr Abbs, a player with Soham Town Rangers, also sustained serious injuries to his legs.  

Former England footballer Keiron Dyer captained a charity team to raise money for both players, external, while Premier League footballer Mauricio Pochettino praised Whiter as "an inspiration".

Sue Dougan
BBC Local Live

A man has admitted causing a crash which resulted in a footballer having both legs amputated and another suffering serious injuries.

Image source, David Lee

Shaun Whiter (pictured), 27, an estate agent from Stansted, Essex, was helping friend Joey Abbs change a flat tyre in Newmarket, Suffolk, on 1 July when a driver crashed into both their cars.

Mr Whiter's legs were amputated and Mr Abbs sustained a serious leg injury.

Jan Adamec, 40, of Shetland Road, Haverhill, admitted two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, at Cambridge Crown Court.

He will be sentenced on 9 September.

Sue Dougan
BBC Local Live

A man has admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a hit-and-run that led to a footballer losing his legs.

More to follow... 

Ipswich fans were pretty happy, too...

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Ipswich Town, external boss Mick McCarthy joined the chorus of praise for hat-trick hero Grant Ward after his stunning debut for Ipswich Town on Saturday

The 21-year-old became the first Town player since Colin Viljoen in 1967 to score three times on his debut.

"For a debutant to come on and, in 45 minutes, wrap the game up with a hat-trick is amazing," said McCarthy. 

"He played narrow in a 4-3-3 which enabled him to get forward and into the box. It's a wonderful day for him - for all of us, actually - and I'm glad the fans have been entertained."

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Ipswich Town, external midfielder Grant Ward says the match ball he got for scoring a hat-trick against Barnsley on Saturday "will probably go to my mum." 

The 21-year-old told BBC Suffolk Sport how both of his parents and his girlfriend were in the crowd as he made a stunning start to his Town career.

He also admitted lots of other people had been in touch to congratulate him, although media commitments prevented him from finding out who.

"My phone's been ringing for a while now but I haven't had a look at it, so I'll have to have a look later," he said.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

There can't have been a happier footballer in the country than Ipswich Town, external midfielder Grant Ward after the opening weekend of Championship fixtures.

The 21-year-old, who only arrived from Tottenham last Monday, hit a 39 minute hat-trick on his Town debut against Barnsley on Saturday, to secure a 4-2 win.

"It was a dream come true," he told BBC Suffolk Sport. "That's something you dream about happening; my first touch, first goal. Can't complain.

"I just played my game and luckily the ball came to me and I got a few shots off."

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

We're sorry we've had a slightly delayed start to our live coverage today, as there have been a few technical issues nationally with the service.

Hopefully they've been sorted now, and it'll soon be business as normal.

Thanks for your patience. 

A Woodbridge man has gone missing from his holiday home in France, according to the East Anglian Daily Times, external.

The paper says a man named as David Wood, went hiking on Tuesday, and has not been seen since. Reports have also featured in The Sun, external and on ITV, external.

A statement from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, external doesn't confirm the name of the man, but says: "We are in contact with local authorities and providing support to the family after a British national was reported missing in France."

Alina Jenkins
BBC Weather

After a mainly cloudy start it will brighten up by the afternoon and will feel pleasant in the sunshine. One or two showers are possible but the brisk wind will slowly ease.

Top temperature: 21C (70F).

Any showers will ease this evening with long clear spells developing. Coupled with light winds it will be a chilly night, especially in rural spots. Lows of 9C (48F).

Get the full forecast where you live, from BBC Weather.

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

Good morning.

Thanks for joining us as we start a new week of live updates from across the county.

Among the stories we'll be looking at this morning are reports that a Suffolk man has gone missing in the Alps, and reaction to Grant Ward's sensational start to his Ipswich Town career, scoring a hat-trick at Portman Road on Saturday.